January 1, 2018 A plunge into the icy Atlantic offers fun seekers a way to get a fresh — a real fresh — start to the new year. Preregistration begins July 1, 2016 or you can register on site at 10:30 AM on the day of the event. This year's event will benefit the Veteran Student Success Center. The dash into the chilly waters starts at 1 PM. The 2016 Penguin Plunge charitable donation of $11,700 went to the Loaves and Fishes Counseling Center of Carteret County. The Atlantic water temperature was 65F degrees.